September 6, 2017

With the huge backlog of pending Social Security disability claims, you may think your case has been lost in a sea of paperwork. My staff strives to let our clients know that just because they haven’t heard from us on recent progress with the Social Security Administration (SSA), we have not forgotten about them. My staff spends much of the day updating cases and explaining the lengthy wait times to clients waiting to finally get their day in court. It can be frustrating for clients, and contrary to what some may say, there is no preferential treatment given to a claimant because they hire a certain attorney. So what can you do during this long wait time? Continue to see your doctors for necessary treatment as long as you can afford to. Let your attorney know of any update to your medical condition, and if you do not have an attorney then let the SSA know about treatment. It is especially important to provide updates on any new treatment providers you have seen, as this will be particularly useful when it comes time to obtain medical records. Many things can happen while waiting for a hearing—your physical or mental condition may get better, get worse, or stay the same. Another important aspect of keeping your case updated is to let your attorney know if your contact information has changed. During times of financial hardship, telephone numbers and addresses can change repeatedly. When it comes time for your day in court, it is imperative that the SSA and/or your lawyer can contact you. We encourage our clients to contact us whenever they have a status update. The appeals process goes through various stages. Given the time limits for filing critical paperwork, keeping in contact with your attorney is essential.